Hungarian GP planning to run F1 race behind closed doors

The Hungarian Grand Prix will not be open to fans due to the coronavirus pandemic with race organisers planning to host the Formula 1 race behind closed doors.

Hopes of staging this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix as planned on August 2 suffered a blow on Thursday when the Hungarian government announced a ban on events with more than 500 people taking place until August 15.

Race promoters for the Hungaroring have subsequently been given no choice but to confirm that the Budapest venue has become the latest F1 round to take place without spectators this year.

Hungary is currently the third event on the original 2020 F1 calendar which has not been postponed or cancelled by the COVID-19 crisis, following races in Austria and Britain. Both proceeding venues have also announced that their races will take place behind closed doors.

“The Hungaroring team has been regularly liaising with Formula 1 – the series’ international rights holder – to explore all possible ways to stage the 35th Formula 1 Magyar Nagydíj in front of fans. However, in light of this decision this is unfortunately no longer possible,” a statement from the Hungaroring read.

“The health and well-being of all our fantastic Formula 1 fans, staff and championship participants has been and remains our primary concern throughout this period and with that in mind, we have regrettably been left with no choice but to reach this conclusion.

“We have continuously emphasised our willingness to work towards a safe solution that would allow us to welcome the entire Formula 1 family to the Hungaroring this August but it is now evident that any F1 race in Hungary can now only be held behind closed doors.

“While this is not an ideal scenario, we do believe that staging the event behind closed doors – which our fans can still watch on television – is preferable to not having a race at all.

“Furthermore, it will also ensure that a global audience of millions can still watch the race taking place in Hungary via F1’s vast international broadcast coverage.

“As such, we are continuing our working with Formula 1 to try and find a way to make this possible.”

The Hungaroring confirmed that ticket holders would be provided the option for a full refund or to transfer their ticket to the 2021 edition of the race.